

The Writer Files: Writing, Productivity, Creativity, and Neuroscience
Kelton Reid
“Learn how acclaimed writers keep the ink flowing, the cursor moving, and avoid writer’s block.”Each week, host Kelton Reid chats with guests like Nobel Prize winner Abdulrazak Gurnah, on life after becoming a laureate; #1 New York Times bestselling author, Emily Henry on her past life as a YA mid-lister; Celebrated author, Walter Mosley, on his conflicted feelings after winning a National Book Award; NY Times bestselling author, Lisa Scottoline, on what she learned from literary lion Philip Roth; #1 NY Times bestselling author Dennis Lehane on what he borrowed from Clint Eastwood; and bestselling author, Matt Haig, on the process behind his novel, The Midnight Library, and serial guest hosts: neuroscientist Michael Grybko, journalist Adam Skolnick, and short story writer Robert Bruce.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 17, 2019 • 23min
Challenges on the Writer's Journey with Prominent Book Editor Peter Guzzardi: Part One
Prominent book editor-turned-author, Peter Guzzardi, spent some time with me this week to discuss how he pulled back the curtain on the writer's life, finding courage in front of the blank screen, and important lessons from the Yellow Brick Road for creatives. "One thing I love about this work is the variety. I’ve edited novels by authors as different as Ruth Rendell and Martin Amis, memoirs by Tony Curtis...and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar..." – Peter Guzzardi Peter has been a professional book editor for nearly 40 years. After getting his start in marketing, writing catalog copy in New York City, he moved to the editorial side where he eventually took the reins at Harmony Books, an imprint of Random House, Inc. Mr. Guzzardi has worked with some incredibly talented authors over the years, including Stephen Hawking on A Brief History of Time, Deepak Chopra on dozens of books, Douglas Adams on his Hitchhiker novels, Carol Burnett, Martin Amis, Arianna Huffington, and even Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Like so many aspiring writers who "swear they're going to finally write that book," Peter decided to throw his hat in the ring and write about the wisdom he'd accumulated on his own journey. The result of that hard work is his recently published Emeralds of Oz: Life Lessons From Over the Rainbow, an apropos title for 2019, the 80th anniversary of the film classic, The Wizard of Oz. Emeralds of Oz is a book in the "...tradition of All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten ... life lessons drawn from the most beloved movie of all time," and Carol Burnett said, "I loved this book as much as I loved the movie." This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Peter Guzzardi and I discussed: How he came to rub elbows with so many celebrity authors The unique skillsets of great editors and their importance to the publishing industry Why the challenges the author faced birthing his own book were so different than he could have imagined How he found courage in front of the blank page The importance of crappy first drafts and turning off your inner critic Show Notes: PeterGuzzardi.com
Emeralds of Oz: Life Lessons from Over the Rainbow by Peter Guzzardi [Amazon]
The Wizard of Oz at 80: how the world fell under its dark spell - Luiza Sauma for The Guardian
Peter Guzzardi on Instagram
Peter Guzzardi on Twitter Peter Guzzardi on Facebook Kelton Reid on Twitter Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
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Jul 9, 2019 • 35min
How to Write a Novel in One Month with NaNoWriMo's Grant Faulkner
The author, podcaster, and Executive Director of National Novel Writing Month (AKA NaNoWriMo), Grant Faulkner, joined me this week to talk about the Fitbit for novelists, how to write a novel in a month (not just in November), why tracking your writing progress is a built-in reward system, and why you can't wait for inspiration to just get started. "No matter who you are, where you live, how old you are, or what your background is, your story matters." - Grant Faulkner Grant is a writer, speaker, and educator whose day job is to help run the non-profit, National Novel Writing Month, the world's largest writing event where every year 500,000 people commit to writing a novel in November, including 100,000 kids and teens via The Young Writers Program. And Grant reminded me that NaNoWriMo provides year-round "...structure, community, and encouragement to help [writers of all ages and backgrounds] find their voice, achieve [their] creative goals, and build new worlds." 2019 is the 20th anniversary of the "seat-of-your-pants" creative writing marathon, and "...thousands of NaNoWriMo novels have been published, including best-sellers like Water for Elephants, The Night Circus, Wool, and many others." Mr. Faulkner is the author of a book of essays on creativity titled Pep Talks for Writers, and his teen writing guide, Brave the Page, is forthcoming from Viking this August, 2019. Grant also hosts a weekly inspirational podcast on writing and publishing called Write-minded, and his writing has appeared in dozens of publications including The New York Times, Writer's Digest, and Poets & Writers. If you think you're ready to write a novel, stay tuned... This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In this file Grant Faulkner and I discussed: The magic of coffee and early morning writing sessions Why jumping in and writing your novel from word one to the end of your first draft without self-editing is so valuable How a goal and a deadline can help you give birth to your book Why writers fool themselves into thinking they've written more than they really have How "just getting started" can help you overcome the perils of procrastination Why the author preaches Robert Frost's mantra "No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader." Show Notes: Author Accelerator
National Novel Writing Month (AKA NaNoWriMo) The Young Writers Program
Pep Talks for Writers: 52 Insights and Actions to Boost Your Creative Mojo by Grant Faulkner [Amazon]
Brave the Page by Grant Faulkner [Amazon] GrantFaulkner.com Write-minded Podcast Grant Faulkner on Instagram Grant Faulkner on Facebook Grant Faulkner on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
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Jul 2, 2019 • 30min
How to Get Unstuck and Back to Writing with Bestselling Author Jennifer Louden: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the bestselling author and creativity coach, Jennifer Louden, returned to talk with me about her twisty career path, the wicked feedback loop of procrastination, how to find your voice, and solutions for getting unstuck and back to writing. "How do you get your creative & scary sh*t done? And how do you keep getting it done ... even when life is hard and busy and full of distractions?" - Jennifer Louden Jennifer has been a professional writer since the early '90s and is considered a personal growth pioneer. Her first book, The Woman’s Comfort Book, was the bestseller that launched her career and she's since published six additional books with over a million copies in print in nine languages. The author is also an international speaker and educator on the subject of self-care and has written a column for Martha Stewart magazine, been quoted by author Brene Brown in not one but two of her books, been profiled in dozens of major magazines, and appeared on hundreds of TV and radio programs including Oprah. In addition to writing books Jennifer is also an entrepreneur who teaches writing and self-care retreats that regularly sell out. She has created a large online community that touts, "Whether you’re a novelist, essayist ... artist or thought leader, [her] mission is to help you write more, share your ideas more boldly, and make your creative work a priority." This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in. In Part Two of this file Jennifer Louden and I discussed: Why writers don't need to "freak out" when they get derailed How to re-center and tap back into your creative well The reasons writers lose their way trying to be "commercial" Why Jennifer decided to self-publish her next book How to overcome negativity bias and other tricks your brain plays on you Why you can't wait until you feel inspired or comfortable to write Show Notes: Author Accelerator JenniferLouden.com
The Get Unstuck and Back to Creating - Email Signup & Guide Page Two Books Jennifer Louden on Amazon Jennifer Louden on YouTube Jennifer Louden on Instagram Jennifer Louden on Facebook Jennifer Louden on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
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Jun 25, 2019 • 34min
How to Get Unstuck and Back to Writing with Bestselling Author Jennifer Louden: Part One
Bestselling author and creativity coach, Jennifer Louden, dropped by this week to talk with me about her twisty career path, the wicked feedback loop of procrastination, how to find your voice, and solutions for getting unstuck and back to writing. "Claim your voice. Share your voice. Get your scary sh*t done." - Jennifer Louden Jennifer has been a professional writer since the early '90s and is considered a personal growth pioneer. Her first book, The Woman’s Comfort Book, was the bestseller that launched her career and she's since published six additional books with over a million copies in print in nine languages. The author is also an international speaker and educator on the subject of self-care and has written a column for Martha Stewart magazine, been quoted by author Brene Brown in not one but two of her books, been profiled in dozens of major magazines, and appeared on hundreds of TV and radio programs including Oprah. In addition to writing books Jennifer is also an entrepreneur who teaches writing and self-care retreats that regularly sell out. She has created a large online community that touts, "Whether you’re a novelist, essayist ... artist or thought leader, [her] mission is to help you write more, share your ideas more boldly, and make your creative work a priority." This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Jennifer Louden and I discussed: How a struggling dyslexic screenwriter became a bestselling author The reasons writers might fall out of love and then back in love with their writing How to get unstuck by pulling back the curtain on your brain's weaknesses Why Jennifer brings compassion and cognitive awareness to jump-starting creativity How finding the "why" for your writing can reignite your spark Why technical writing hacks won't solve the deeper issues of why you're not writing Show Notes: Author Accelerator JenniferLouden.com Jennifer Louden on Amazon Jennifer Louden on YouTube Jennifer Louden on Instagram Jennifer Louden on Facebook Jennifer Louden on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
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Jun 19, 2019 • 31min
Publishing Secrets from Top NY Literary Agent Mark Gottlieb: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the top-ranked New York literary agent, Mark Gottlieb – of Trident Media Group – returned to enlighten me about all things publishing including what it's like to work at one of the world's leading agencies, how to stand out as a writer, and the kinds of projects he's looking for right now. "When approaching a publisher without that built-in platform, all you can really say to them is this is a great book. Please make an editorial evaluation." - Mark Gottlieb Mark grew up around books and bestselling authors, and the writing life had an influence on him from an early age. Inspired to go into the family business, he graduated with a degree in writing, literature & publishing, and began his career at Penguin. He's since gone on to become one of the top-ranked agents on Publishers Marketplace and has represented numerous award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors. Trident Media Group is a prominent New York agency that represents a diverse stable of over 1,000 bestselling and emerging authors across a wide range of genres in fiction and nonfiction. Mark has optioned books for both film and TV and is actively building a client list of authors at TMG. He previously ran their audiobook department, and has worked in foreign rights. He has a passion for working directly with authors to help them manage and build their careers using the unique resources available to him at one of the world's leading literary agencies. If you're interested in an insider's take on how to get traditionally published today, stick around, this is a good one. This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in. In Part Two of this file Mark Gottlieb and I discussed: How to stand out as a writer today (including the importance of platform, timing, and talent) Why authors can't put the cart before the horse and the difference between selling non-fiction and fiction manuscripts The secrets of successful authors that aspiring writers can steal How a literary agent can improve an author's marketing and promotion plan The most critical time leading up to your "book's birthday" All the different ways big agencies think of your work beyond the book deal And Mark's sage advice and tips for authors ready to seek representation Show Notes: Author Accelerator Publishing Secrets from Top NY Literary Agent Mark Gottlieb: Part One
Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group Trident Media Group Trident Media Group: Submissions Link
LiteraryAgentMarkgottlieb.com - Mark's blog with author resources about all things writing, literature and publishing Publishers Marketplace How Professional Comedy Writer & Author James Breakwell Writes: Part One
The Long Flight Home by Alan Hlad
Autocomplete: The Book by Justin Hook Mark Gottlieb on Instagram Mark Gottlieb on Facebook Mark Gottlieb on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
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Jun 11, 2019 • 29min
Publishing Secrets from Top NY Literary Agent Mark Gottlieb: Part One
Top-ranked New York literary agent, Mark Gottlieb – of Trident Media Group – dropped by this week to enlighten me about all things publishing including what it's like to work at one of the world's leading agencies, how to stand out as a writer, and the kinds of projects he's looking for right now. "There's a lot out there that can really overwhelm an author when they're trying to figure out how to find an agent or how to get published." - Mark Gottlieb Mark grew up around books and bestselling authors, and the writing life had an influence on him from an early age. Inspired to go into the family business, he graduated with a degree in writing, literature & publishing, and began his career at Penguin. He's since gone on to become one of the top-ranked agents on Publishers Marketplace and has represented numerous award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors. Trident Media Group is a prominent New York agency that represents a diverse stable of over 1,000 bestselling and emerging authors across a wide range of genres in fiction and nonfiction. Mark has optioned books for both film and TV and is actively building a client list of authors at TMG. He previously ran their audiobook department, and has worked in foreign rights. He has a passion for working directly with authors to help them manage and build their careers using the unique resources available to him at one of the world's leading literary agencies. If you're interested in an insider's take on how to get traditionally published today, stick around, this is a good one. This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Mark Gottlieb and I discussed: What it's like to grow up hanging out with Dean Koontz and Tom Clancy How to avoid overwhelm when you start your journey to publication Tried-and-true recommendations and resources for aspiring authors ready to reach out to an agent How to use Publishers Marketplace as your giant Rolodex for book publishing Why authors might choose traditional over self-publishing How agents advocate for authors to make sure they take advantage of every possible opportunity in publishing And the enduring power of paper books, audiobooks, indie bookstores, and the power of the #writingcommunity Show Notes: Author Accelerator Publishing Secrets from Top NY Literary Agent Mark Gottlieb: Part Two
Mark Gottlieb at Trident Media Group Trident Media Group Trident Media Group: Submissions Link
LiteraryAgentMarkgottlieb.com - Mark's blog with author resources about all things writing, literature and publishing Publishers Marketplace How Professional Comedy Writer & Author James Breakwell Writes: Part One How WNYC Podcast Host and Author of ‘Bored and Brilliant’ Manoush Zomorodi Writes
Left to Their Own Devices: How Digital Natives Are Reshaping the American Dream Kindle Edition by Julie M. Albright (Amazon) Mark Gottlieb on Instagram Mark Gottlieb on Facebook Mark Gottlieb on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
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Jun 4, 2019 • 30min
How New York Times Bestselling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon Writes: Part Two
In Part Two of this file the prolific, award-winning, #1 New York Times and international bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, returned to talk about what it's like to be a literary legend with over 70 million copies of her books in print in over 100 countries. "When the characters have chosen you ... you need to go tell their stories, because nobody else can do it, and they picked you for the job. Are you really going to disappoint them?" - Sherrilyn Kenyon Sherrilyn is considered one of the most popular and influential writers in the world and the multi-genre author is best known for urban fantasy and paranormal romance, including her popular Dark-Hunters series (Amazon), now also a NY Times bestselling manga. Since her debut in the mid-90s she has placed more than 80 novels on the NY Times list in all formats and genres, including YA, children’s books, coloring books, historical romance (under the pen name Kinley MacGregor), and even graphic novels – her Lords of Avalon novels were adapted by Marvel. Ms. Kenyon's path to bestselling novelist was winding one, as you'll hear, but through all the ups and downs she has cultivated an incredibly loyal fan community who call themselves Menyons who even design tattoos in honor of her more popular genre-bending books. Her latest bestseller in the expansive Dark-Hunters series, titled Stygian, is described as a "...blend of tortured heroes, strong heroines, [and] historical mythology...." Stygian was named one of best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the year by Kobo and Publishers Weekly has called her work, "A delicious balance of suspense and sensuality." This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And If you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in. In Part Two of this file Sherrilyn Kenyon and I discussed: Why she prefers her PC over a Mac Her unique workflow and organizational hacks for keeping all of her characters and worlds straight Why her intense workload and work ethic require "combat napping" On viewing creativity as an adventure How great writers make a human connection (and a huge shoutout to copywriters) And the author's great advice on storytelling and your obligation to the characters who choose you Show Notes: Author Accelerator Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/writerfiles How New York Times Bestselling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon Writes: Part One
Sherrilyn Kenyon's Amazon Author Page
Stygian: A Dark-Hunter Novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon SherrilynKenyon.com Sherrilyn Kenyon on Facebook Sherrilyn Kenyon on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
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May 29, 2019 • 27min
How New York Times Bestselling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon Writes: Part One
Prolific, award-winning, #1 New York Times and international bestselling author, Sherrilyn Kenyon, joined me this week to talk about what it's like to be a literary legend with over 70 million copies of her books in print in over 100 countries. "To me, the characters are why I write. They're family. And I love the worlds." - Sherrilyn Kenyon Sherrilyn is considered one of the most popular and influential writers in the world and the multi-genre author is best known for urban fantasy and paranormal romance, including her popular Dark-Hunters series (Amazon), now also a NY Times bestselling manga. Since her debut in the mid-90s she has placed more than 80 novels on the NY Times list in all formats and genres, including YA, children’s books, coloring books, historical romance (under the pen name Kinley MacGregor), and even graphic novels – her Lords of Avalon novels were adapted by Marvel. Ms. Kenyon's path to bestselling novelist was winding one, as you'll hear, but through all the ups and downs she has cultivated an incredibly loyal fan community who call themselves Menyons who even design tattoos in honor of her more popular genre-bending books. Her latest bestseller in the expansive Dark-Hunters series, titled Stygian, is described as a "...blend of tortured heroes, strong heroines, [and] historical mythology...." Stygian was named one of best Science Fiction & Fantasy of the year by Kobo and Publishers Weekly has called her work, "A delicious balance of suspense and sensuality." This episode of The Writer Files is brought to you by the team at Author Accelerator. Author Accelerator book coaches give writers feedback, accountability, and support while you write, so you can get that your idea out of your head and onto the page. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this file Sherrilyn Kenyon and I discussed: How she started out as one of the first female web developers in the '90s Why the author's determination and resilience through good times and bad led to her success (and superstition) How she stays sane, focused, and organized writing hundreds of characters across multiple genres (and how she still finds her car keys) On writer's block and why the author set aside an unfinished book for ten years before finishing it Show Notes: Author Accelerator Audible is Offering a Free Audiobook Download with a 30-day Trial: Grab Your Free Audiobook Here – audibletrial.com/writerfiles How New York Times Bestselling Author Sherrilyn Kenyon Writes: Part Two
Sherrilyn Kenyon's Amazon Author Page
Stygian: A Dark-Hunter Novel by Sherrilyn Kenyon SherrilynKenyon.com Sherrilyn Kenyon on Facebook Sherrilyn Kenyon on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
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May 21, 2019 • 34min
How to Finish Your Big Scary Book with Jennie Nash: Part Two
In Part Two of this special edition of the show the author, educator, book coach and founder of Author Accelerator, Jennie Nash, returned to go deeper on tools and strategies for writers on the winding, sometimes daunting journey, to finishing your big, scary book. "Writing a book is a noble endeavor, it does something no other art does." - Jennie Nash Jennie started her career in publishing at Random House and has over 30 years experience in all facets of the industry. She also taught at the UCLA Extension Writers' Program for 12 years and has spoken at writing conferences across the country. She's the author of seven books including a self-help book for writers – The Writer's Guide to Agony and Defeat (Amazon) – and has written hundreds of magazine articles for national publications. For nearly a decade now Jennie has been coaching authors "from inspiration to publication" (including Lisa Chron, author of Wired for Story and Story Genius, and Sam Polk, author of For the Love of Money: A Memoir), helping them to land top New York agents and book deals with major publishers. As the founder of Author Accelerator, described as "A personal trainer for your writing life," she and her team of book coaches now provide writers the blueprint so often lacking in the traditional publishing world ... including the tools, nurturing, and encouragement needed to finish their work and get it into the world successfully. In a serendipitous turn of events, after this interview Author Accelerator became a sponsor of this show, and I'll tell you all about a resource they've created just for listeners of this show during our chat. This conversation is tailor-made for writers just starting out or well along on your journey to publish. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. If you missed the first half of this show you can find it right here. And if you’ve missed previous episodes of The Writer Files you can find them all in the archives at writerfiles.fm, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in. In Part Two of this file Jennie Nash and I discussed: Why there is no such thing as a truly "original story" How book coaches keep up with trends and best practices across multiple genres Why authors need to understand the universe they're writing in The key to getting the most out of your investment in writing retreats, conferences, courses, and coaching The three top reasons writers want and need to write a book And why you have a duty to take the risk, be intentional, and persevere and write your book Show Notes: Author Accelerator
The Writer's Guide to Agony and Defeat: The 43 Worst Moments in the Writing Life and How to Get Over Them by Jennie Nash (Amazon)
For the Love of Money: A Memoir by Sam Polk
Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron
Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid Author Accelerator on Facebook Jennie Nash on Twitter Author Accelerator on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation
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May 15, 2019 • 34min
How to Finish Your Big Scary Book with Jennie Nash: Part One
Author, educator, book coach and founder of Author Accelerator, Jennie Nash, joined me this week in a special edition of the show dedicated to unearthing tools and strategies for writers on the winding, sometimes daunting journey, to finishing your big, scary book. "Writing a book is like childbirth." - Jennie Nash Jennie started her career in publishing at Random House and has over 30 years experience in all facets of the industry. She also taught at the UCLA Extension Writers' Program for 12 years and has spoken at writing conferences across the country. She's the author of seven books including a self-help book for writers – The Writer's Guide to Agony and Defeat (Amazon) – and has written hundreds of magazine articles for national publications. For nearly a decade now Jennie has been coaching authors "from inspiration to publication" (including Lisa Chron, author of Wired for Story and Story Genius, and Sam Polk, author of For the Love of Money: A Memoir), helping them to land top New York agents and book deals with major publishers. As the founder of Author Accelerator, described as "A personal trainer for your writing life," she and her team of book coaches now provide writers the blueprint so often lacking in the traditional publishing world ... including the tools, nurturing, and encouragement needed to finish their work and get it into the world successfully. In a serendipitous turn of events, after this interview Author Accelerator became a sponsor of this show, and I'll tell you all about a resource they've created just for listeners of this show during our chat. This conversation is tailor-made for writers just starting out or well along on your journey to publish. If you’re a fan of The Writer Files, please click subscribe to automatically see new interviews. In Part One of this two part file Jennie Nash and I discussed: Why the stages of writing a book are like the stages of grief How Jennie came up with a winning formula for helping writers bring their books to life The questions so many writers forget to ask before they start writing their book The frustrations and roadblocks authors run up against in the middle of a book How to make meaningful progress toward finishing Creativity and the myth of the lone genius And why writers can't wait around to be picked Show Notes: Author Accelerator
The Writer's Guide to Agony and Defeat: The 43 Worst Moments in the Writing Life and How to Get Over Them by Jennie Nash (Amazon)
For the Love of Money: A Memoir by Sam Polk
Wired for Story: The Writer's Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence by Lisa Cron
Daisy Jones & The Six: A Novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid Author Accelerator on Facebook Jennie Nash on Twitter Author Accelerator on Twitter Kelton Reid on Twitter Please click the PayPal Donate button to support The Writer Files with a secure PayPal donation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices